FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT AUDITORIUM THEATRE - PAGE 2

These days, perhaps more than ever, ballet companies are like sharks: they must keep moving or die. But even as they look toward the future, they ignore or forget ballet's long history at their peril. The Joffrey Ballet's "Russian Masters" program has more to do with the company's own long history of planting one foot in tradition and the other in rebellion than with Mother Russia. Though all three choreographers trained there, they became ex-pats - and ballet insurgents. In an uncharacteristically short run of four works spanning 100 years, the Joffrey proves once again its versatility and its dancers' chameleonic skills.

"Show Boat," which opened March 24 in the Auditorium Theatre, is tentatively set to end its Chicago engagement March 30, 1997, and then embark on a national tour. The musical has grossed $23 million at the Auditorium.

All performances by MOMIX dance company, which were to be held Thursday through Saturday at the Auditorium Theatre, have been canceled. Tickets may be refunded at point of purchase or exchanged for a show in the theater's Home for the Holidays Festival performance series, with the exception of Mandy Patinkin's concerts.

- In today's preprinted Chicago Tribune Magazine, the Just Asking interview with Kaye Ballard on Page 12 states that Ms. Ballard will appear in "Nunsense: 20th Anniversary Tour" at the Auditorium Theatre in January. Producers of the show announced this week that the show has been canceled. The Tribune regrets the error.

It was awesome. It left us in total wonderment. What? "The Nutcracker" performed by the Joffrey Ballet. For years I've wanted to attend but found it difficult to get to McCormick Place. The Auditorium Theatre is more accessible, so a friend and I saw it--in all its glory! This senior citizen will never forget it.

Four attractions are on tap for a dance/musical series season at the Auditorium Theatre: Amalia Hernandez's "Ballet Folklorico de Mexico," Sept. 26-28; a dozen Stars of the Kirov Ballet, Oct. 11-12; and the previously announced "Riverdance" (subscription tickets available) Nov. 25-Dec. 7; and "Les Miserables" Jan. 6-18. Tickets go on sale Friday.

Former Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio has confirmed a three-week U.S. tour where he will be backed by "a new group of supporting musicians," according to his Web site. The tour stops May 10 at the Auditorium Theatre. ---------- Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)

Services for Isadore "Slim" Melzer, 69, a ticket seller at the Auditorium Theatre, 70 E. Congress Pkwy., for 22 years, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the chapel at 111 Skokie Blvd., Wilmette. He died Tuesday in a nursing home in Riverwoods. He is survived by four brothers.

Brendan Benson's Saturday show at the Metro has been postponed until Sept. 15, when tickets purchased for the original show will be honored, according to Jam Productions. He also will open one of The White Stripes' shows Aug. 29-31 at the Auditorium Theatre.